Molding machine



1,492,912 May 6 1924 F. J. WOOD MOLDING MACHINE Filed Jan. 13'. 1921 3 Sheets-Sheet l May a, 1 24. 1,492,912

F. J. WOOD MOLDING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 13 1921 Ill) Patented May 6, 1924.

UNITED STATES FRANZ 3'. W001), F DES MOINES, IOWA.

MOLDING MACHINE. i i f Application filed January 13,1921. Serial No. 437,044.

To (IZZ 10h am it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANZ J. WOOD, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Des Moines, in the county of Polk and State of Iowa, have invented a certain new and useful Improved Molding Machine, of which the following is a specification. g

This invention relates to an improved machine for forming sand molds of that class of machines designed to handle the flask and pat-tern for the purpose of mechanically packing or pressing the molding material within the flask and around the pattern, and particularly pertains to certain improvements on the device illustrated and described in my copending application filed January 2, 1920, Serial Number 349,039, on a molding machine.

The object of my invention is to provide, in a molding machine, new and improved means for controllingthe sand and packing devices, and also the'mechanism for moving the patterns.

A further object is to provide improved means for locking and unlocking the flask in position on the flask supporting frame.

A further object is'to provide in such a machine mechanism operated by compressed air, whereby a platform supporting molding material in a proper flask may be forced upward with a steady, uniform, powerful and increasing pressure against the sand within the flask and surrounding the pattern sup-- ported above the said platform.

Still a further object is to provide such a machine in which the air may be adjustably controlled to operate mechanism for drawing the sand away from the pattern in a slow and steady initial movement.

These and other objects, which need not be mentioned in detail, will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

My invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved molding machine.-

Figure 2 is a plan view of the same.

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view, taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1, showing the mold supporting platform swung to a position outside of the frame.

pattern supporting frame.

Figure 4 is a detail sectional view, taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1, showing in dotted lines the manner in which the flasks are applied thereto.

Figure 5' is a detail view, showing the looking mechanism for securing the pattern supporting frame against rotation.-

Figure 6 is a back end elevation, showing the mold supporting platform in its elevated position and the manner-in which the link devices for elevating said platform operate, the operating cylinder being removed.

Figure 7 is a central sectional view, taken through the air cylinder and the valve mechanism for controlling the same; and a Figure 8 is a detail sectional view-showing the controlling valve j in another position from that in which it is shown'in Figure 7.

My improved molding'maehine comprises a base 10 mountedupon suitable wheels 11, which are secured to one end of the base member 10 by means of suitable axles, while the opposite end of the base member is provided with a single wheel, as clearly shown in Figure 2. By mounting the base upon three wheels, as illustrated, a very stable support is provided for the base member, all tilting and rocking movement of the machine being eliminated by the three-point support.

Secured'to each end of the base 10 are upright members 12. These uprights 12 are secured in position by means of bolts 14, and have pivotally mountedin their upright ends a frame member 13, which I shall term the This pattern supporting frame is provided at each end with pivots 15, so arranged that the said frame may be rotated with either side upper most.

The frame 13 is designed to have its faces held in horizontal position by means of a latch' device 16 which is mounted in a boss 17 of one of the'members 12. This boss is formed with a large opening, which is designed to receive a spring 18, one end of which rests against the-boss while the opposite end rests against a shoulder of the latch 16. The outer end of the latch member 16 is pivoted to lever 19, one end of which is provided with a handle while the opposite end is pivoted to the member 12 by means of a bolt 20. The inner or latch end of the member 16 is designed to enter a notch 21 in the frame 13, and is held in position by means of the spring 18:

' weight." The flash is supported in position Foi' siippoi ting the flaskin 'position on either or'both of said faces "ofthe member 13 I have provided at each end of said mem on the faces of the-member13, as illustrated ner as is customary in" devices of -this'kind,' with the pattern member adjacent to 'the"direction." Eaehofthe members 34-and 35 by dotted lines in Figure 4, ii'rthe's'ame manface, while the flask-surrounds the'pattern A and is providedwith a base member all of which are secured imposition by meansof a bar 25. a The bar is of a length slightly "greaterthan the distancebetw'een t'hep'osts in either of'the facesg' and is designed tosecure the said members 1n position by being under the hooks 23.' "-The' weight of the memliers24will securethe hooks in position -1eaeeu as hereinafter described.

f time.

The manner in which this flask is mountand base member are secured in positionis "commonto allmachines of this "kllld, and p whichyis operatively connected with 131181318- for 'that "reas'on a detailed description is omitted. The important feature inthis con- "nection is toprovide"meansfor moving the bot'tompartof the mold toward'the pattern niember afterthe s and has been placed in position. This shouldbe 'done"with a' very steady, uniform and even pressure, "wl iich movement may be comparatively rapid at first and the speed of whiclrshould be re duced with an increased pressure at thesame This I have accomplished by the following mechanism:

' Secured to one side of one ofthe members 12 I have provided a boss or 'bracket*26, which is designed to receive a vertlcal shaft 27-, the lower end of which is mounted in a projection 28 of the base member 10. "Piv- "otally mounted: on the' sliaft 27 is'a swinging bracket member 29. T h s bracket member is "provided"witliside members 30"and web members 31. 4111 'of-th-ese inembers"ai'ecast integral.

I have thus" rovident an open framework 'wh-ich is constructedvery rigidbut at the same time comparatively light'," the said fr'amewOrk being provided with an" opening 32 -for 'the purpose OfPIlilIGtlH'g mechanism te p ass upwardly through said frame for the purpose" of elevating the mold supportin platform 33.

i This platform 33 co1npr-ises' preferably two members- 34 and 35," which are secured together by means ofazross piecesse. The

member 35 is provided with'eXtensions 37 which" are formed with a guide member 38 at each end. Each of these guide members 33 is designed to coact with guide flanges 39 on the inner faces of the uprights 12 when =t'he" platforni 33 is being elevated. The

- the members 30 to prevent movement of the bracket in other than a vertical or lifting has its inner edge provided with down- "ivardly extended flanges 41 and 42 respectively. Eachof' the flanges 41 and 42 is pro- "pla'ced- "over the base member and passed vided'with a-smo'othetlge designed to'be engaged by rollers, as hereinafter described.

F or elevating'the platform 33 I liave--provided the following mechanism: S'ecured to the backside of the base mem- "ber' 10 I have provided a' vertical frame 43 'ed, and the manner in \vhiclrthe patt'erns having braces '44 and a horizontal lever -sup- -portingmember 45. Secured tothe'bracket 43 by means of a suitable bracket 46 isan *ztir cylinder 47. *This cylinder is "provided at-eachend with ahead 48 and aslidable piston" 49. The lower-head member 48 is "provided with a packing gland 50 designed to receive a piston rod 51, theup'per'end of -ton 49. Thelowe'r head 48 is'p'rovided with an I air pipe' 52, "while the upper head 48' is "provided with an air pipe 53. "Both of the pipes 52-and 53 are'in communication with a valve block 54. This block 54 is provided "with a valve '55' havingports 56, 57;- 58 59 *and' 60." The block 54 is also provided with ports 61 and 62 whichare incommnnication with the' atmosphere, and'the port 62 being provided with a set screw 63; the'purpose of "whichwillhereinafter be made clear. An k pply pipe 64 is provided and 1s"1n communication with the block 54.

Mounted'on the base'1O are rock shafts 65, parallel to each other and parallel to'the top 'of the platform The backend of each of'therock'shafts 65 is providedwith an inwardly eXtendmgarm-GG, the: inner end of each being provided" with a'link 67,

the'freeendof which is c onne'cted to across head-6S thecross-"head'68 being mounted on the. lower end of the piston'rod 51. v The which is providedwith a'roller 72. "The rollers 7 2 are spaced apart'a cl'istaliceequal to the distance ofthe'flanges 41"and 423 and so arranged as to be engaged by said flanges when the platform '33 is in its normal position. The rollers 72 are so spaced apart that they will engage the flanges 41 and 42 at a point a distance from each end equal to substantially one-third of the length of the of a pipe 73 which extends centrally through one of the pivot members 15 and is in communication with one end of the hose 74. The opposite end of the hose 74 is in communication with a valve block 7 5 which is provided with a valve 76, the valve block 75 being in communication with the pipe '64 by means of a pipe 77 and a T 78. The valve 76 is provided with a stem 79 which is operatively connected with aa'rod 80, one end of'which'is provided with an arm 81 having an operating rod 82. The valve 55 is provided with a stem 83 which is operatively connected to one end of a'rod 84 having a rock arm 85 connected to a hand operated rod 86. The shafts 80-and84 are supported by means of the bracket member 45, while the rods 82 and 86 are supported in a horizontal position by means of a bracket 86 on top of one'of the members 12.

The operationof my improved molding machine is as follows:

Assuming that the air supply pipe 64 is in communication with a suitable supply tank, and that the various movable mechanisms of the device are in normal position, that is with the pattern frame 13 having its pattern supporting faces horizontal, with the latch 16 in position in the notch 21, and the piston 49 at its lower limit of movement in the cylinder 47, this will leave the rollers 72 in the position illustratedin Figure 1 of the drawings, with the centers of the rollers and the centers of the shaft in a horizontal plane. 'When the rollers 72 are in this position the bracket 29 may be moved to a position directly over said rollers, the movement of which is limited by means of a lug 87 extending downwardly from said bracket and designed to engage a lug 88 extending upwardly from the frame 10. The platform 33 will then be imposition on said bracket 29, with its flanges 41 and 42 imme diately oventherollers 72, as clearly illustrated in Figure 4. The arms 66 will also be in a horizontal position andparallel to the arms 70. The links 67 willeXtend' downwardly, as shownin dotted lines in Figure 1, to substantially a vertical position, and the valve 55will be moved to a closed position.

A pattern board 89 willv then be placed on the top of themember 13 and secured 13- in the same manner.

in position thereon by means of suitable pins. A- fiask 9O will'then be placed in position and filled with sand. The bottom board 91 will be placed in position bottom side up, and the bar 25 placed above said bot-' tom member and under the hooks 28, the weighted ends 24 holding the hooks 23 in position.

' The upper member of the flask may be placed on the oppositeside of the member A description. of theoperation of one, however, will be sufficient The pattern frame 13 will'be rotated after releasing the catch 16, until the flaskQO is on the under side, the said flask being'held in position by means of the bar 25 and the hooks 23. There will be a slight distance between the upper face of the platform 33 and the bottom board 91.

Thehandrod 86 will then begrasped and moved to the rear, which will cause the valve 55 to assume the position shown in Figure 7 ofthe' drawings, with the port 57 in com munication with the supply pipe, the port 56 in communication with the pipe 52, the port 58 in communication with the pipe 53, and the port 59 in communication with the port61. Airwill then pass from the supply pipe 64 through the'pipe'52 to the bottom side of the piston 49, which will then be'elevated. Theair in the upper end of the cylinder 47 will be exhausted through the pipe 53 and the'port 61. This, through the piston rod 51, will cause the cross head 68 to be elevated, which in turn will cause the shafts to be oscillated, which in turn will cause the rollers 72 to engage the bottom sides of the flanges 42 and 41 and the said flanges to be elevated, which in turn will cause the platform 33 to be elevated until it engages the bottom of the board 91, which will be forced up into the flask, causing the molding material to be compressed and packed: around the pattern. The ten sion on the bar 25 will also be released, which will permit the hooks 23 to disengage said bar, due to the weightofthe members 24, thereby providing automatic means for releasing the said bar'and disconnecting the flask and thefframe 13.

Asthe rollers 72 are elevated their supporting arms will approach a vertical position, shown in Figure 6, and the links 67 will approach a horizontal position, as shown in said figure. This will produce'a compound lever effect, which will cause the flask to be elevated comparatively rapidly at first, but the speed of which willbe gradually 'reducedand the power as applied to the said platform, increased: Thisprovides for uniform movement of the piston 49, which maybe constructed ofa comparatively small diameter but which will produce a very eflfective" and steady-lifting and it) the hand rod 86- willthen be again actuated and the 'valve 55 moved to theposition compressing power at the-extreme end of the stroke without-increasing the pressure in'the cylinder. After the platform 33l1219b88111ll0V6Cl to be accomplished by varying the thickness of the bottom plate 91, and-after this has'been once adjusted it is not necessary to readjust shown in Figure 8, with the port 56 incommunication with the pipe 6-4:, the port 57 in communication with the pipe-'53, the port 58 in communicationWiththeport 62,: and the port 60 in communication with'the'pipe 52. This will permit air toenter the'u'pper end'of the cylinder 47 above the piston 49, which piston will start-to-move downwardly, the 1' downward movement, however,-g being limited bythe exhaust air which will then 'pass 'out' through the 'pipe 52' and through theport 62, said port beingrestricted by means of the set screw '63. The downward -movement ofthepiston can thus be'regulated by adjusting the screw 63. The hand rod 82 will then-be operated, causing the valve 76 to be opened in communication with the flexiblepipe '74:, which will then cause their 'apper 72 to be operated as the" platform 33 starts to descend,-but the movement of thesaid platform will be very slowat first, due to the'r'estriction of the'passage 62 and also due to the slow movement of the rollers 7 2, the said rollers being moved veryslowly on acc'ount'of the compound link movement abovefdescribed. This variable movement from a slow speed to a"higher.speed,and vice versa, I shall term in theclaimsian accelerated movement or accelerated speed, for the sake'of convenience.

It will thus be seen that I haveprovided means whereby the sand will be very slowly and steadily pulled from the pattern on the first part of its stroke, which will give the "rapper sufiicient timeto loosen all portions of the pattern"bef oreportions of the sand become broken loose from the molds.

After the flask has reached its downward limit of movement, which will leave the patterns secured to the member 13 and the flask resting on the platform 33 with the guide members below the ends of thefianges 39, the bracket 29 may be swung in a horizontal plane untilthe flask is moved to a positionfrom under the' pattermframe 13, at which time it may be easily grasped by the operator and lifted and carried to an desired position in the'molding room.

In my "copending application' before identified, the bracket member 29 is designed to be" elevated with the flask, while in my 'present'application the'pla-tform 33 is elevated with the flask andthe bracket 29 rests"stationary. This has a marked advantage overmy former device, due to the fact that in saidformer device the flask supporting member was 'pivotally and slidjably mounted on a shaft. Iexperiencedconbind, which prevented free and easy move- I mentwh-iclris accomplished in my present device.

Ialso have provided an improved means for I looking the l flask to the pattern frame, which eliminates the crooked bail and-also a: more or -less complicated latch-device which" was likely to get out of order.

The-inai1r "frame has been Y considerably simplified and the device provided with three Wheels iii-place of four, whichmakes the device very; stable-even it is supported on a floorhavinganuueven surface.

' The whole mechanism is'formed in a unit having all of its parts rigidly and securely mounted on a-"rigid base "which 'rnay be easily and quickly moved from one position to' another, or moved out" of the way" when notin use.

I claim as my invention 1-; In a molding machine, a main frame,

a pattern fIRHIG' 'IHOLlD tQCl on 'sa id' main frame, a mold table, analr actuated device,

' and-means operated by said air actuated device for imparting an accelerated movement tosaid m'old'table to move'it to or'from said platform.

2. In a molding==machine, amain frame, a pattern frame mounted on' said main frame, a moldtable,an air cylinder, a piston, and a compound lever device operatively connected with said piston for elevating and lowering said mold table at an'a'cceler ated speed-when the said piston is operated at a substantially uniform speed. I

3. In a molding machine, a main frame, a pattern frame mounted on said'm'ain frame, a m-old'table, an air cylinder, a piston, a-compound lever device 'operatively connected with said piston for elevating and lowering said mold table at an accelerated speed when the said piston is operated at a substantially uniform speed, and means for controlling the speed of said piston.

4. In a: molding machine, a main frame, a pattern framdmolinted on said main frame, a supporting.bracket pivoted to said main frame to swing horizontally, a mold table detachably mounted on said bracket, an air cylinder, a piston, and a compound lever device operatively connected with said piston for elevatingand lowering said 'InOlCl table at an accelerated speed when'the said piston is operated at substantially a uniform speed.

5. In a molding mac-hine, a main frame,

a pattern frame mounted on said main frame, a supporting bracket pivoted to said main frame to swing horizontally, a mold table detachably mounted on said bracket, an air cylinder, a piston, a compound lever device operatively connected with said piston for elevating and lowering said mold table at an accelerated speed when the said piston is operated at substantially a uniform speed in one direction, and adjustable and automatic means for controlling the said piston in the opposite direction.

6. In a molding machine, a main frame having guide flanges, a pattern frame mounted on said main frame, a mold table, said table having guide devices designed to coactwith said guide flanges when the said table is elevated,and means for elevating said table, comprising an air cylinder, a piston, and a compound lever device operatively connected with said piston, the said lever device being designed to elevate and lower said mold table at an accelerated speed.

7. In a molding machine, a main frame,

" a pattern frame mounted on said main frame, a mold table, and means for moving the mold table toward said pattern frame, comprising a reciprocating power member arranged perpendicular relative to the mold table, means for controlling the movement of said power member, a set of rock shafts mounted parallel to each other and parallel to said mold table, an inwardly projecting arm for each of said rock shafts, adjacent to one side of said platform, said arms being substantially parallel with the said table when in one position of its movement, and

- 8. In a molding machine, a main frame, 4

a pattern holding frame mounted on the upper portion of the main frame for rotation, a mold table below said pattern frame, means for raising and lowering said mold table, and means for looking a mold flask a;

having a movable bottom member, to said pattern holding frame, comprising adjustable posts mounted perpendicular in the face of said frame, a pivoted hook on each post, and a flask supporting bar, the hooks being provided with weighted end members so that said hooks will lock the flask through the pattern holding frame when the flask is in an inverted position above the pattern holding frame, and automatically unlock the flask when in an upright position beneath the pattern frame and pressure is applied to the bottom member of said flask.

FRANZ J. WOOD. 

